BRIDGET Wilkinson has started a new career at the age of 37, thanks to her BSc (Hons) degree in occupational therapy from the University of Teesside.

Bridget, of Dusley, Whitby, joined St Mary's hospital in Scarborough as an occupational therapist last year.

Bridget left school at 16, completed a BTEC in business studies and then worked in an office for three years before marrying and starting her family.

While working as a forecourt cashier in Whitby, Bridget started to think about a change of direction.

She said: "My shift ended at ten at night and I thought 'I do not want to be doing this, I want a 9-5 job'."

She enrolled for a GNVQ in health and social care at Whitby Community College, where she studied some leaflets about careers in midwifery, health visiting and occupational therapy. "I went to look around the occupational therapy department at Whitby hospital, and liked the environment. I saw it as a place where I could use my abilities in working with people," said Bridget.

Once on the course at Teesside, Bridget combined her family life with academic work and placements in a range of hospitals.

These included stroke rehabilitation at South Cleveland and adult community mental health nursing with Hartlepool social services.

Bridget said: "The fieldwork placements were invaluable, allowing me to put into practice what I'd learned at university.

"I had to be organised to juggle a family, a degree and a part-time job.

"I'd like to thank the staff in the learning resource centre for their support and the special sessions on essay technique which I found useful as I hadn't written an essay for years."

Bridget had three job offers when she completed the degree. She added: "Occupational therapy is a rewarding career. I get a lot of satisfaction from enabling clients to change through therapeutic activities."

For more information on the degree in occupational therapy call 01642 384110 or 01642 384113, or check the university's website at www.tees.ac.u